This is a guest post written by Monta Fleming. You can read more about her after the article that provides us with five things we should consider when looking for a nursing home for our loved one.
Finding the right home for you or a loved one can be hard. There are many things to consider when choosing what is best, check out these five:
Activities: What is most important other than physical health is mental health. You want to find a home that will provide many different opportunities and activities for your loved one to get involved with. Some offer religious based activities, games like bingo and cards, music and movie watching and activities outdoors. Having a daily activity for your loved one will give them something to look forward too and keep them active.
Cost: Cost is probably the most concerning part of your nursing home search because it can get expensive. Set a personal range and stick to it; you will be able to find a home within your budget, you just need to dig. Be sure that you discuss all costs with the home and be careful of any hidden fees or taxes before you choose the home.
Residents: Consider what kind of patients and residents the nursing home of interest takes. Some homes concentrate on a specific group of people, for example: patients that have diagnosed with more serious diseases and what not. Find a home that fits your needs more specifically.
Staff: Checking up on the staff is probably the most time consuming part of finding the right home. Do as much research as you can on the staff at the home. You want to make sure that the home employs professionals and staff that are thoroughly trained. The home you work with should be able to provide proof and information on their staff, if not-that can and should be considered a red flag. Always read online reviews as well.
Routines and schedules: Your loved one may be on a strict schedule and routine, especially if medication is involved. Be sure to discuss with the home the routine and schedule that your loved one needs. They should be willing and able to follow your guidelines. Remember they are there to help you and loved one, it is their duty.
Take your time in your decision and don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions. Take multiple tours of the facility and keep an eye on the residents and its staff when you visit. Do your homework and research and everything will be fine. A great way to start your search is word of mouth; ask your friends and family for any suggestions.
Author Byline:
Monta the mother of three children serves as an Expert Advisor on multiple household help issues to many Organizations and groups, and is a mentor for other “Mom-preneurs” seeking guidance. She is a regular contributor of “find nannies”. You can get in touch with her at montafleming6Atgmail dotcom.
5 responses so far ↓
1 Elderlink // Jul 5, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Very good things to think about. It is hard when it comes to the time to have to find a care facility for a loved one.
2 Densie // Jul 14, 2012 at 1:38 am
Choosing a nursing home is such a critical thing. Appreciate the pointers in finding the right one.
3 Edie // Jul 15, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Denise, we found out as a family how important choosing the right home is. We are eager to help others who are in that same position so they can make the best decision for their loved one. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.
4 Edie // Jul 15, 2012 at 3:20 pm
It isn’t always easy to find a good nursing home or care facility unless you personally know others who have had relatives in a local facility. Word of mouth is the best way to find a home, but getting the help of local health care providers can help one choose as well. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Appreciate it!
5 Brian from medigapgroup.com // Aug 14, 2012 at 5:14 pm
Thanks for sharing… I’ve been looking into something like this recently for my Granfather. I’ve been living with him this past year, and he is 92 years old. It’s about that time where taking care of him is too much to handle with everything else that I have going on, so I’ve started to seek out different types of senior living communities. This will definitely help in that process, so thank you!
I also work with senior citizens every day, helping them cover the out of pocket gaps brought on by government Medicare. I know that they will also appreciate this type of material so I’ll definitely be passing it along to them. Thanks again for sharing. As usual, I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog. Keep up the good work!
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